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Alumni of Expeditionary Studies

Meet a Few of Our Success stories

Wondering whether your interest in the outdoors could someday earn you a paycheck? Read on! SUNY Plattsburgh EXP students gain valuable real-world experience that leads to professional positions.

Allison Thompson: Class of 2010

During Ali’s time in expeditionary studies, she traveled all over the U.S. and abroad, sparking what is now a passion for combining work with travel. This started with an EXP trip to Nepal, followed by an internship in Hong Kong and her Senior Expedition in Thailand. Ali is currently teaching English in China, at Suzhou Foreign Language School with plans to attend graduate school only, of course, after some more travel. According to Ali, “expeditionary studies was the perfect fit for me, allowing to train at high levels of climbing and paddling and gain an entirely new perspective on the world.”

Michelle Schonzeit: Class of 2004

When the first courses were made available to students, Michelle was one of the first, taking a backcountry ski course while still in high school. “That experience,” she said, “led her to Plattsburgh State the following year for courses that would broaden my outdoor education.” During her sophomore year, Michelle was awarded an internship with the Yosemite National Park Search and Rescue office, sparking a love of the National Park Service. That led to two other National Park Service internships, one in Olympic National Park and one in Grand Teton National Park. Since graduating from SUNY Plattsburgh Michelle has been a ranger at Crater Lake National Park in Oregon, at Lake Mead National Recreation area in Arizona, and is currently at Delaware Water Gap in northeastern Pennsylvania. “Without a doubt, says Michelle, “The expeditionary studies program was a catalyst in my life to realize my professional dreams.”

Greg Young: Class of 2010

"The expeditionary studies program exposed me to a world of adventure. I feel confident being on my own, as well as leading others in all kinds of wilderness settings. During the program I learned to rock climb, ski and mountaineer with a high level of proficiency. I climbed and skied all over the US, in places such as Joshua Tree, Smith Rocks State Park, and in the North and South Cascades on such peaks Mt Hood, Shasta and in the Three Sisters Wilderness. All of this prepared me for my senior expedition, my final project, to rock climb in the limestone mountains of northern Mexico and climb Mexico's tallest peak, Pico de Orizaba. After graduating, I have continued to climb while working for Open Sky Wilderness Therapy, an organization that works with students struggling with substance abuse, anger/depression and difficult family dynamics. It is an amazing type of work where one can experience human beings on the most real level."

Mike Pond: Class of 2008

Before transferring to SUNY Plattsburgh, Mike was a music major and a member of his college track team. After enrolling in expeditionary studies, he “knew immediately,” he has said, “that I had found my calling.” In between classes and class trips, Mike skied and climbed “frenetically “(his word) whenever and wherever he could. Since then he has taken that same attitude to the mountains of Alaska, Canada, the western U.S. and South America. Recently, Mike was a member of a first-ascent team of the East Ridge of Desire Peak, a climb supported by a grant from The American Alpine Club. At the end of that climbing season, he traveled south to Red Rocks Nevada, and Joshua Tree, California, and to a guiding job in Peru. Having just finished his third season of guiding with the American Alpine Institute, Mike is attending graduate school at Ohio University while continuing his guide’s work in summers.

Aaron Hurwit: Class of 2006

Aaron was another one of those students taking expeditionary studies courses before there was a major. Integrating all the EXP kayaking courses he could into his self-designed major.

Three weeks after graduating, Aaron was working as a professional kayak guide and instructor in San Diego, followed this with a position as a trip leader in Alaska and the Yukon for Adventure Cross Country. No sooner was he done leading teens in the backcountry for ARCC than he moved half way around the world, to Hong Kong, to work as a program leader at Treasure Island, an outdoor education center.

Aaron now lives in Boston where he works for Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI) as an instructor in their Outdoor School while attending graduate school in nursing. “When I came to Plattsburgh,” Aaron has recalled, “I thought I knew what I wanted. Four years later, with EXP classes and experiences, I knew that I had been right about my desire to be working in the outdoors.”

Carolyn Wharton: Class of 2007

Carolyn has been a “District Crew Leader” in the Baker-Snoqualmie Ranger District of North Bend, Washington for the last three years. Working for the non-profit Washington Trails Association, Carolyn was responsible for organizing, training, and working with volunteer crews contributing time to trail maintenance.

Carolyn has found that expeditionary studies and leading work crews has more in common than she expected. In particular, leading “Backcountry Response Teams” reminded her directly of her EXP days. “I would take these teams into remote settings, after identifying and scouting the trails and balancing the remoteness against the practicality of bringing heavy tools in. We were totally self-sufficient in those settings, something I was used to and prepared for from my expeditionary studies studies.” Currently living in Boston, Carolyn is continuing her education in graduate school.

Brenden Eng: Class of 2010

Brenden came to SUNY Plattsburgh after recovering from emergency shoulder surgery to complete his expeditionary studies degree. He ended his studies with his “Senior Expedition” to the sandstone towers in the desert South West and completing a teaching practicum assisting EXP faculty member Casey Henley in rock climbing courses in Arizona and California. After graduating, Brenden moved to California to work for Mountain Adventure Seminars, located in the high Sierra mountain range. He is working as a single and multi-pitch rock climbing guide throughout Northern California and in the winter will be leading day and overnight back country snowshoeing trips, assisting in Avalanche courses and all the while working on expanding his capabilities as a a back country skier and alpinist. Brenden holds the AMGA single pitch instructor certification and is an EMT.

Jason Broman: Class of 2007

Part of the first cohort of expeditionary studies graduates, Jason is pursuing his dream to work in the mountains by working with Seattle-based Mountain Madness, one of the premier mountaineering schools and guide services in the world

Two years into his degree, Jason shadowed EXP faculty Casey Henley on a Mount Baker summit climb with guiding company Mountain Madness. “That EXP trip," according to Jason, "was life-changing.”

After graduating, Jason moved to Washington and began working with Mountain Madness, first as a gear manager and assistant guide and porter and since then moving up to a full guide position. Jason now leads summit climbs and runs mountaineering and rock climbing courses full-time for Mountain Madness.” Like other EXP graduates, Jason identifies his studies as critical to his success, having “opened many doors and allowed me to develop the skills that I needed to join a community of professionals in the outdoor industry.”

Mike Sibalski: Class of 2010

Growing up in Wilmington, New York, within the Adirondack Park, Mike spent the majority of his early climbing years there, contributing to the climber he is today. During his EXP years, he expanded his climbing resume to include a number of areas in the states and abroad, including Joshua Tree, Red Rocks, the Gunks, Pembrokeshire, El Potrero Chico, and Hong Kong. Mike guides courses and trips in Colorado's San Juan Mountains. Certifications: Wilderness First Responder | AMGA Single Pitch Instructor

Aaron DiMartino: Class of 2009

Aaron DiMartino is currently a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Natural Resource Conservation program living and working in a quiet jungle village located in Ecuador. "EXP was my solid foundation that I planted two feet firmly into and continued to construct throughout my time in the program. EXP classes furthered my communication and leadership skills as well as a tolerance for adversity, further preparing me for any challenge I choose to confront myself with. Abroad or at home I feel prepared to put myself in those difficult positions and thrive."

Contact Information

We invite you to learn more about expeditionary studies at SUNY Plattsburgh. Please feel free to contact the chair.